The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-15

when manufacturer came before that body to
get anything done, but they became red hot
when their Immediate interests were touched.
Arthur Jordan said the committee appointed
to draft the resolutions had learned from many
of the leading manufacturers, from oil men.
from the Woodburn- Sarven Company. from
kingan & Co.. that the effect of the interstate
commerce law would be to materially damage
them: in some cases to reduce their business
one-half. While few business men might be
somewhat benefited, the city, the State, could
not afford to have its great interests damaged or
go down. The business of Indianapolis is to
save itself. An injury to this city would be m
injury to the State and to the country. The
committee believed that fair and open compet-
ton among railroads has been seriously hindered
by the fourth section of the interstate commerce
bin. They want to restore that competition.
Railroad men want to restore it, as their bust
ness here has already been reduced almost one
fourth
NJ. A. Wooden said the fact must not be lost
sight of that the great business of the country
is done under the classification known as the
sixth class, and that at this moment by this
interstate law, the business interests
of the country are paralyZed. The grain inter
est does not suffer alone. That interest is lden-
teal with other interests.
T. NJ Bachman said the effect Of thelaw would
be TO utterly ruin his business; that where he
had ten cent rate on logs, that rate was ad-
vanced to seventeen cents, and that where In
dlanapolls has rate at twenty three cents to
New York, the rate from PEORIA H., is only two
cents higher. I'VE KNOW" said Mr.. Bachman,
how badly we have been hurt; these fools who
get up in Congress and make such law know
nothing about it. Why not leave our laws alone;
we were getting along all right"
Senator Harrison, who had been invited to be
present, then spoke. giving brief history of the
Reagan bill. the interstate-commerce act IS
known, that Texan Congressman being its au-
thor He said he did not think the board should
assume without careful inquiry and discussion,
just what the Interpretation and effect of the
fourth section might be, and that it would be
we'll for the committee to inquire whether these
rates are made compulsory. This question
should be looked into very thoroughly. He said
there was no one Just now that could give lmme
date relief except the railroad companies.
Charles Hall was called upon to state the eff
feet of the law upon his business. but declined,
as he could not yet tell the full effect 1t might
have though the outlook was disastrous.
VIM. F. Piel starch manufacturer, said that
something would have to be done Immediately
or many institutions would have to be closed
D. A. Richardson miller. said that a man re-
ceiving five or six carloads of stuff day, the
same go out in manufactured article, had a
great item in freight in the course of year, and
that the interstate law would simply force many
manufacturers to close their DOORS
G. c. Foster moved to postpone further con-
sideraton of the subject until to-day at IL
o'clock which was carried.
W. H. H. McCurdy remarked that the gist of
the matter was that the railroads themselves
were TO blame; that they are doing everything
to make the in.erstate-commerce law odous.
w. T. Piel, of the committee to consider the
effects of the interstate commerce law the
interests of the city, requested that merchants,
manufacturers and others should send to the
committee reports of the effect of the law upon
their business. the effect of freight rates before
and since the law went into effect. The meeting
then adjourned